The superstructure is divided into two
sections, one facing forward, and one smaller right behind that.
I have decided to build using PCB (0.063" / 1.6mm thick fiberglass
plate), since this is light, strong and easy to work.
From viewing all of the images, I have learned:
- That there is a
difference in the two staircases behind the front superstructure. The
staircase on the starboard side has got doors to the front
superstructure on the inboards side of the stairs, while the port side has the doors on the outboard side of the stairs.
-
That there is a lifeboat on both sides, but only one MOB (Man over board),
and that this is found on the port side.
-
There is a pool on the port side at the bottom of the staircase.
- The air intake on the starboard side has vents to the side, and facing backwards.
- ... and about 1.000 more details... :-)
Important data: The very middle of the bridge wing end is 548 ft / 167 m from the aft end, and 757 ft / 230,7 m from the bow. In scale that means that the middle of the bridge wings ends should be 28,88 inch / 75,90 cm from the aft most point, and 41,28 inch / 104,86 cm from the very foremost point. (Now the superstructure can be placed in the right place...)
 |
The raw PCB is
bought, and the initial drawings of the superstructure is done. Next
is to start cutting, sawing and sanding the plates, to they form the
superstructure.
I'm not yet decided if I'll remove the cobber, or use it to solder
the sheets together.
If I remove the cobber, then epoxy resin with thickener will be the
way to glue them together. |
 |
This image shows
the first steps in superstructure construction, seen from the rear,
starboard side.
Note the slots in the upper edges, where the horizontal decks will
rest. One example: The slot in the very front (furthest away from
the camera) has a slot for the bridge floor, as this extents ahead
of the superstructure front wall, and the side wall has a slot for
the bridge wing floor.
The staircase will be located behind the wall with the angle-cut
neat the bottom, missing is the very edge plate.
|
 |
This image shows
the front plate and the two side plates of the superstructure. On
the front plate, all the windows are marked with guide lines and a
black "drill here"-dot. The two side plates have had the windows
drilled and filed, using the files also shown in the picture.
Each window takes 15 minutes, and there's 93 of them... and soar
fingers! |
 |
How to make a
window?
1) Drill a small hole within the marked boxes.
2) Dig out some material using a Dremmel tool or similar, allowing
the file to go in later.
3) Now file out the rest by hand.
... and repeat 93 times.. |
 |
This is the
superstructure, with all the windows completed! Note that the bridge
floor incl. the bridge wings 'click' on.
(All pieces will be soldered later.) The reason that each
element does not just fit end to end, but clicks together, is to
improve strength, and the final, perfect fit. |
 |
From viewing A LOT of images of Emma's early days, I have found that the starboard air intake covers parts of the lowest decks of the staircase, and that there is a staircase from the rescue deck and to the deck below it.
These features can be found on images in the album regading the superstructure.
The starboard side rescue deck is a mirrored copy of the port side rescue deck, except for the MOB boat and crane.
|
 |
This shows the now added pool (yes, they have such!) and the small, light structure giving a bit of shade next to it.
Later a block of blue water-looking foam will be placed from below in the hole for the pool.
Detailed study also revealed more windows on the rescue deck, and on the rear side of the main building.
Again, these features can be found on images in the album regading the superstructure. |
 |
I have chosen to build the superstructure in such configuration that the middle main building can be taken of during transport and service, while the two rescue decks remain on the model. I'll show you later.
This is the full-width model of the superstructure as it looks late March 2009.
|
 |
Tadaa.. The finished smoke stack, weight is only 16 g / 0.56oz.
It's a balza wood core, painted with epoxy resin and sanded. The edge around the top was made by dripping candle wax on the top, and carving a track around the edge. Masking tape made up the outer mold, and the resin cured over night. The smoke stack will extend over the bridge roof ("monkey island"), so the horizontal edge will be filed to fit once the bridge is done.
|
 |
More soon!! |
|
